A long-time New York City publicist who worked with celebrities including Marilyn Monroe, Robert Redford and Martin Scorsese has died. Lois Smith was 85.

Her death yesterday was confirmed by Cindi Berger, chairman and chief executive of PMK*BNC. Ms Smith was one of the founders of the publicity firm that eventually merged with other firms to become PMK*BNC.

Ms Smith died from a brain haemorrhage after falling during a trip to Maine with her husband.

Ms Berger described Ms Smith as a "trailblazer" in the publicity field "who loved her clients and guided them with strong and steady hands".

Her list of clients during her decades in the business also included Meryl Streep, Warren Beatty, and Whitney Houston.

She is survived by her husband and three of her children. A son died in 1985.